Ironing machine for flatwork



Dec. 16, 1969 J. A. GILMORE IRONING MACHINE FOR FLATWORK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 1, 1968 Dec. 16, 1969 J. A. GILMORE IRONING MACHINE FOR FLATWORK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1968 INVENTOR. (/0/4/ ,4 fi/MME United States Patent O 3,483,645 IRONlN-G MACHINE FOR FLATWORK John A. Gilmore, Santa Barbara, Calif., assignor to Montecito Manufacturing (30., Santa Barbara, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 772,730 Int. Cl. Dtlfif 67/04 US. Cl. 38-143 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for continuously smoothening sheets, towels, tablecloths, and the like, as such fabrics are fed into a laundry mangle, comprising a vacuum air box having a plurality of air holes spaced along its upper outside edge and a guard member projecting over the air holes, a baffle being disposed across the width of the vacuum air box such that air is drawn through the air holes, around the bafile, and through a rear outlet. An air blower is connected with the rear outlet for drawing air through the vacuum air box, and a damper is mounted at the exhaust outlet of the air blower for vacuum control. The apparatus is utilized in combination with a laundry mangle having a feed roller, doffer roller, feed belt, ironer rollers and steam chest, through which fabric is passed during an ironing operation, the apparatus functioning to hold the fabric in smooth and Wrinkle-free contact with the feed belt during operation of such equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for continuously smoothening fabric which is to be fed into a roller system, and more particularly concerns a device for removing wrinkles and folds from sheets, towels, tablecloths and the like prior to their ironing in a laundry mangle.

In conventional ironing operations a variety of fabrics are fed by rollers into a laundry mangle where they are ironed by means of an ironing roller and a steam chest. Prior to the ironing operation, it is required that such fabrics be free of wrinkles, creases, or folds. In the past, one or more operators have manipulated the fabrics to continuously smooth them prior to and as they are drawn into the mangle. This manual step obviously limits the speed at which fabrics can be ironed, thus increasing the overall cost of the laundry operation.

Recently, a number of devices have been devised for automatically or semi-automatically removing the wrinkles and folds from the fabrics so as to eliminate the need for skilled operators. One such apparatus, disclosed by Hajos in US. Patent No. 3,103,755, employs an air flow directed along the surface of the fabric in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved into the ironing apparatus. The disclosed device, however, utilizes complex sensing devices and generally fails to provide a simple and yet effective mechanism for smoothening fabric prior to the ironing operation. Such devices is constructed of numerous components, thus providing an apparatus of both high original and operating cost. Moreover, flapping action caused during use of such apparatus fails to provide a trouble-free smoothening operation.

Similar apparatus has been devised utilizing an air flow directed against the fabric to be smoothened or away from the fabric, such as in a vacuum device. In the latter equipment, significant disadvantages have arisen in that uniform vacuum pressure across the width of the fabric to be smoothened has not been obtainable. Also, such apparatus has suffered from the effect of clogging clue to lint drawn from the fabric into the vacuum compartment of the device. Thus, there is not presently available any apparatus for the efiective smoothening of laundry fabice rics at a continuous rate and at inexpensive original and operating costs.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a fabric smoothening appparatus is provided for continuously removing wrinkles, creases, folds and the like from a variety of fabrics to be ironed in a laundry mangle. The apparatus contemplates a vacuum air box disposed below the feed roller of a laundry mangle such that the trailing portion of the fabric to be ironed contacts an upper edge of the vacuum air box. The upper edge is provided with a plurality of air holes through which air is drawn into the box, a guard member being disposed on the edge and projecting over the air holes. The fabric to be ironed is draped over the guard member at a distance from the air holes and is thereby prevented from contacting the holes. The vacuum air box contains a bafile disposed approximately parallel with the front edge, the bafile being of less width than the interior of the vacuum air box, such that a space is defined between the baflie and the Walls of the vacuum air box at either side thereof. Air is drawn through the air holes so as to flow around the bafile, through the spaces, and to the rear portion of the vacuum air box, from which it exits through an outlet disposed at approximately the mid-point of the rear wall. Means are provided, such as a forced air blower, for drawing air through the air holes and out the outlet of the vacuum air box.

In an especially preferred embodiment of this invention, an exhaust blower and damper are utilized in combination with the vacuum air box to permit accurate control of the vacuum and at the same time allow continuous smoothening of the fabric being fed into the laundry mangle. The damper consists of a plate pivotally mounted on the exhaust outlet of the exhaust blower. The damper plate is pivotable to a closed position to reduce the vacuum within the vacuum air box, and pivotable to an open position to increase the vacuum.

Although a variety of fabric smoothening devices are known, including those which employ vacuum apparatus for effecting the straightening operation, none of the present devices exhibit continuous and low-cost operation. The apparatus of this invention, however, is of low operating and original cost and, by means of the uniform vacuum achieved using the bafile element, completely eliminates wrinkles and creases from fabric as it is fed into the laundry mangle.

Prior art dampers, positioned upstream from the blower adjacent the rear of the air box, cause lint to be deposited around the dampers, eventually clogging the blower duct and requiring shut down. Also, maintenance of such dampers is difiicult because of the absence of any convenient way of getting at the area around the damper where lint clogging occurs. By use of the described damper, and by positioning such damper at the exhaust end of the air blower, the smoothening apparatus can be operated without becoming clogged with lint or other particles which are drawn into the machine by the vacuum action. Positioning of the damper in this manner also allows ready access for any required maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the improved apparatus of this invention in combination with a laundry mangle;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view on line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the air holes and guard member of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the baffle disposed within the vacuum air box; and

3 FIG. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showlng the air blower and the damper secured thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates the fabric smothening mechanism of this invention in combination with a conventional laundry mangle, shown in fragmentary elevational view. Side frames 2 support a series of ironing rollers 4 (only one of which is shown). A steam chest 6 is disposed below the ironing rollers, the steam chest and ironing rollers being positioned to receive fabric 8 from a feed belt 10 running from the front of the apparatus. The feed belt is driven on feed rollers 12, 13. A doffer roller 14 is disposed above the feed belt and cooperates with the feed belt to grasp and retain the fabric as it is fed into the ironer. Fabric to be ironed, such as a sheet, tablecloth, or the like, is manually placed in the nip between the doffer roller 14 and the feed belt 10 such that it can be carried by the feed belt to the ironing portion of the apparatus in a wrinkle-free condition.

The improved fabric straightening apparatus of this invention is disposed below and forward of the outer feed roller 13 of the laundry mangle. A vacuum air box 16, having a raised outer edge 18, is disposed immediately below the outer feed roller 13. A series of air holes are spaced apart across the width of the vacuum box at its upper raised edge. A V-shaped guard member 22 is secured to the vacuum air box along the raised edge of the box, projecting from the box at a distance from the series of air holes. A baffie 24 is disposed across the width of the vacuum air box at about the center of the box. An air blower 26 is connected with the vacuum air box 16 by means of a blower duct 28 secured to the rear outlet 30 of the vacuum air box. A damper 32 is mounted on the air blower at its exhaust outlet 34.

FIG. 2 illustrtes a fragmentary front view of the vacuum air box 16 of the fabric straightening apparatus. A series of air holes 20 is disposed across substantially the entire width of the vacuum air box. Guard member 22 is secured to the upper edge 18 and projects over the series of air holes.

In operation of the apparatus, fabric is fed into the nip between the doifer roller 14 and the feed belt 10 with its remaining length being draped over the feed roller 13 and the guard member 22, as shown in FIG. 1. Operation of the air blower 26 draws air through the series of air holes 20, around the baffle 24, through the blower duct 28, and out the blower exhaust outlet 34. The vacuum action causes the fabric to be drawn against the vacuum air box in contact with the guard member 22, thereby straightening the fabric and maintaining it in a wrinklefree condition as it is fed into the ironing mangle. The

guard member 22 prevents the fabric from contacting the series of holes, which occurrence could prevent uniform distribution of vacuum pressure on the fabric to be straightened.

FIG. 3 illustrates the approximate length of the baflie 24 in relation to the width of the vacuum air box 16. The battle preferably extends from the top of the vacuum air box to the bottom, allowing air flow only around the bafile at its ends, as shown by the arrows. Air drawn through the series of air holes at the upward edge of the vacuum air box is uniformly circulated through the vacuum box prior to its discharge through the outlet into the blower duct. That is, vacuum pressure created along the series of air holes will be substantially uniform, thereby insuring even and continuous distribution of air pressure on fabric drape-d over the air holes. Consequently, fabric is continuously straigthened, with wrinkles and creases being completely removed from the fabric. Such straightening operation is accomplished without flapping or violent movement of the fabric and is effected with minimum supervision.

FIG. 4 illustrates the utilization of a damper 32, in

combination with the vacuum air box 16, so as to obtain accurate control of vacuum crated in the vacuum air box. The air blower 26 has a blower motor 36 and is connected to the vacuum air box 16 by means of duct 28. The damper 32 consists of a damper plate 38 pivotally secured at one end of the exhaust outlet 34 of the air blower. The other end of the damper plate is secured to a bolt 40 projecting from the upper end of the exhaust outlet 34, the damper plate being pivotable in response to tightening of a nut 42 threaded to the bolt. Vacuum in the vacuum air box is decreased by tightening the nut to move the damper plate in the direction of the blower outlet, vacuum being increased by reverse movement of the damper plate. By positioning of the damper on the exhaust side of the air blower, it has been found that lint clogging of the vacuum air box or the air blower can be completely avoided. That is, any lint which is drawn into the apparatus by means of the vacuum pressure passes through the vacuum air box and air blower Without clogging of the apparatus. Such result is in sharp contrast to conventional apparatus wherein dampers are positioned within the vacuum air box, a construction which results in troublesome lint clogging. Additionally, positioning of the damper on the exhaust side of the air blower is especially convenient for any problems of maintenance or replacement which arise.

The air blower 26 ordinarily is provided with a constant speed fan (not shown), such as a two horsepower high speed fan, for drawing air through the vacuum air box. The air blower can be conveniently connected to the vacuum air box 16 by means of a metal duct or the like. A duct hose and hose clamps can also be utilized for such connection.

In operation of the fabric straightener, one or two operators can be employed for initially feeding the material onto the feed belt. The fabric is stretched tightly across the width of the feed belt as it is fed under the doffer roller 14 and into the laundry mangle. The first two feet or so of the fabric is stripped and draped over the feed roller 13 and edge 18 of the vacuum air box, the remainder of the material dropping to the floor. A feed basket, a clear plastic sheet, or the like, can be disposed beneath the fabric straightening mechanism for catching the fabric which extends from the feed roller to the floor.

The vacuum air box and the baffle disposed therein can be constructed of any convenient construction material, although steel is preferably employed. The guard member can also be constructed of any suitable material, although stainless steel of about 1-8-gauge thickness is preferred.

The batfle is preferably disposed across the width of the vacuum air box at the center dividing line thereof, dividing the vacuum air box into front and rear sections. It is also contemplated that the baffie extend from the top of the vacuum box to its bottom, thus providing only the spaces at either end thereof for the air flow. The outlet of the vacuum air box is disposed at substantially the center of the rear portion of the vacuum air box, such that an equal number of air holes are disposed at the front side of the air box on either side of the rear outlet, thereby insuring that uniform air flow will be created as air is drawn through the vacuum air box.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved fabric processing apparatus for use in combination with the feed roller, ironing rollers and steam chest of a laundry mangle comprising:

(a) a vacuum air box disposed below the feed roller of the laundry mangle with an upper front edge substantially coextensive therewith, the vacuum air box having a plurality of air holes disposed along the upper front edge and having an air outlet at its rear wall, approximately at the mid-point thereof;

(b) a guard member disposed across the upper front edge of the vacuum air box and extending over the air holes;

(c) a baffle disposed within the vacuum air box approximately parallel with the front wall and defining passages at either end thereof for passage of air, such that air can be drawn through the air holes, around the baffle, and out the outlet of the vacuum air box; and

(d) means for drawing air through the air holes into the vacuum air box and out the outlet such that the air flow is evenly distributed along the series of air holes, whereby fabric placed over the guard member will be straightened by vacuum action as the material is continuously fed into the laundry mangle.

2. The improved fabric processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vacuum air box is of rectangular cross section, having a raised upper front edge along which the air holes are disposed, and wherein the bafile extends from the top to the bottom of the vacuum air box, such that air is prevented from flowing over the top or under the bottom of the baflie and can only flow around the ends thereof.

3. The improved fabric processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guard member is of V-shaped construction, with one side thereof projecting outwardly from the upper front edge of the vacuum air box and extending over the series of air holes.

4. The improved fabric processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for drawing air through the vacuum air box comprises a blower having an inlet for receiving air from the vacuum air box, and an exhaust outlet; a blower duct connecting the outlet of the vacuum air box with the inlet of the blower housing: and an adjustable damper secured to the exhaust outlet of the blower housing for controlling the vacuum created in the vacuum air box.

5. The improved fabric processing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the damper comprises a damper plate and adjustable fastening means disposed on the exhaust outlet of the blower housing, such that the damper plate can be moved toward the exhaust outlet to reduce vacuum within the vacuum air box, and away from the exhaust outlet to increase vacuum within the vacuum air box.

6. In combination with a laundry mangle having a feed roller, doffer roller, feed belt disposed between the feed roller and doffer roller, ironer rollers and a steam chest for receiving fabric from the feed belt during the ironing operation, an apparatus for continuously smoothening the fabric as it is fed into the laundry mangle comprising:

(a) a vacuum air box dis osed below the feed roller with an upper front edge substantially coextensive therewith, the vacuum air box having a plurality of air holes disposed along the upper front edge and having an air outlet on its rear wall, approximately at the mid-point thereof;

(b) a guard member secured to the upper front edge of the vacuum air box and projecting over the air holes;

(c) a bafile member disposed within the vacuum air box between its front and rear walls, approximately parallel with the front Wall, and defining passages at each end thereof for allowing the passage of air through the vacuum air box;

(d) a blower disposed adjacent the vacuum air box, having an inlet for receiving air from the vacuum air box, and having an exhaust outlet;

(e) an exhaust fan disposed within the blower hous- (f) a blower duct connecting the outlet of the vacuum air box with the inlet of the blower housing; and

(g) a damper secured to the exhaust outlet of the blower housing for controlling the vacuum created in the vacuum air box.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the damper comprises a damper plate, pivotally connected to the exhaust outlet of the blower housing, and a bolt secured to the blower exhaust outlet, the damper plate being movable on the bolt toward the exhaust outlet to reduce vacuum in the vacuum air box, and away from the exhaust outlet to increase vacuum in the vacuum air box.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,103,755 9/1963 Hajos 38-143 3,315,385 4/1967 Taylor 38143 3,386,192 6/1968 Fornaciari 38143 3,414,997 12/1968 Henry 38-143 2,976,625 3/1961 Bazelmans 38-2 3,436,853 4/1969 Buss 38-143 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner 

